Madly

by Michelle Leighton

[Kim Deister]

This novella is the start to the brand-new Madly series, a mermaid series that blends threads of traditional lore with new mythology. I love mermaid-themed stories and this one was really fun. At 53 pages, it is a short read,, but it is a great introduction to the world of Madly!

Fairy tales are brought into the mythology of Madly through the Eight Lores, whom humanity believes are only that... fairy tales. In reality, the Eight Lores are spirits of those fairy tale creatures who have escaped prison to awaken their descendants. The story centers around that premise and creates a very different world than I have read before in mermaid fiction.

The four main characters are Madly, her BFF Jersey, Jersey's brother Jackson, and Madly's betrothed Aidan. There are the typical teenage angst right along with the magic and fantasy of the mermaid world. Madly is a princess and she has a bit of a rebellious streak, which can be awkward when there are some rather strict rules about what she can and can't do in that capacity. All four of these characters are fantastic, each one with their own story.

Some Quotastic Goodness

--If I closed my eyes, I could almost feel the humid sea breeze ruffling my hair, the hot sun shining down on my face. I could almost smell the sweet hint of jasmine in the air, too (Loc. 31).
--Jackson’s lips pursed as he kissed my fingertips, sending a shockwave of electricity scorching its way along my nerve ends (Loc. 396).

My Recommendation: There is action, there is adventure, there is mystery, there is intrigue. And there is lots of good swooniness! I can't wait to read the next book, Madly & Wolfhardt.

This review originally appeared on my blog, http://thecaffeinateddivareads.multifacetedmama.com/?p=8758.